White Film On Goldfish -5 Causes and Effective Treatment
Several ailments can take place in an aquarium, however, white film on goldfish is the most common. Generally, the white film is known as protective slime that covers the entire body of goldfish.
Also, it is a secreted mucoprotein that actually fights against all possible fungal, bacterial, or parasitic diseases. Thus, the mucoprotein acts as a barrier that does not allow any infection to intrude inside the goldfish.
Unfortunately, the white film sometimes may act exactly the opposite due to several environmental issues inside the tank water. Then it becomes a problem. Sometimes, the film is predicted as white fungus. However, the main reason for it is stress. It can occur due to several reasons including water pH and other water parameters, fungal attacks, and others.
So, when the white film on goldfish becomes a problem, prompt treatment is necessary. Therefore, since you are here to seek help from us, bear with us till the end!
White Film on Goldfish – Symptoms They Show
We have mentioned earlier that goldfish often have protective slime on them. But sometimes the slime becomes the reason for invading many bacteria, fungi, or ectoparasites. Thus, when it occurs, your goldfish start to show some unnatural symptoms. They are given below.
1. Excess Secretion of Mucus
This is one of the most visible symptoms that you will notice first. Excessive mucus secretion results in white patches over the fish skin. It also causes gills inflammations.
2. Abnormal Behavior
It is also very visible. If you are an old pet keeper of goldfish then surely you are used to their behavior. Hence, any slightest change will make you worry and it happens when this problem arrives.
You will notice that the goldfish have lost their appetite or are swimming erratically around the tank water. Moreover, you might also find them gasping at the water surface for air at the same time. You can also see them taking rapid breaths.
To some extent, the white fungus can intrude into the blood vein of the goldfish and cause secondary infection. And once the secondary infection takes place there will not be any way to protect your goldfish.
3. Other Symptoms
There are some other distinct symptoms you may discover like discoloration, especially of the eyes and fins of the goldfish. Nonetheless, losing weight is also a symptom of this problem.
Why There is White Film On My Goldfish
1. Stress
Stress is probably the most possible reason why your goldfish develop a white film on them. Once the aquarium goldfish is stressed out, they will not be able to secret mucoprotein that is healthy and protective.
Rather, the layer will become susceptible to several infections and parasite attacks. Moreover, you might also find your goldfish is suffering from a parasitic attack. However, we have already said that there could be many reasons for stress. It could be environmental or man-made.
Speaking of man-made situations, many aquarists want their aquarium to be filled with animals and corals. But this idea is very wrong especially if you have already kept goldfish in it. They do not like overcrowding if kept in the aquarium.
Thus, high stocking density also increases the stress on goldfish and consequently leads them to secret white film instead of healthy mucoprotein.
2. Water Quality
Water parameters and quality matter a lot to keep up a healthy environment inside the aquarium. This fact is also interrelated with stressing of goldfish. Poor water quality is one of the core reasons for stressing goldfish. It allows fungal growth inside the tank.
Moreover, poor water condition is susceptible to parasitic growth as well. Especially, warm water encourages bacterial growth. Thus, unstable temperatures cause poor conditions of the water. Also, dropping the level of pH in aquarium water lowers the quality.
3. Excessive Chemical
The chemical presence that is more than necessary of course is a reason to form an unhealthy white film on goldfish. For example, excessive chloramine and chlorine in water also degrade the quality of water.
Also, if the tank water contains a high level of ammonia, then this might also cause problems for the goldfish. It blackens the skin of goldfish along with their fins.
Moreover, the existence of lower oxygen saturation or higher level of carbon dioxide elements also worsens the quality control of water. All these chemicals that are mentioned above also cause severe stress to the goldfish which is also the main reason for developing a white film on them.
4. Fungal Infection
Fungal infection is another reason for creating a white film on goldfish. There could be several fungi that are sailing around the tank water like Dictyuchus, Achlya, or Saprolegnia. Wet and humid environmental conditions are favorable for their thriving.
Once the water conditions become favorable for the fungus they will reproduce in no time and attack the goldfish. Moreover, they cause fungal lesions on the fish skin leading them to death.
Then again, when the fungus establishes, it quickly spreads and infects other animals in the tank as well.
5. Problems in Diet
If you own goldfish, that means you have greater responsibility. They are high maintenance and require a proper diet. Anything wrong in their diet or if the diet is contaminated, they may start producing toxic slime and hurt themselves.
Furthermore, improper diet leads to several other fungal diseases. It happens because if your goldfish do not like the food, they will not eat.
Therefore, the remaining food will rot eventually and become susceptible to fungal growth. Consequently, you might find yourself asking what is this white film on your goldfish.
Treatment for White Film on Goldfish
Since the slime that happened to be healthy but acting the opposite, your goldfish needs an immediate cure. Let’s know what can you do to protect these precious.
Salt Bath
A salt bath can ensure a speed-up recovery when there is a mild symptom of the infection. However, many aquarists go for saltwater dips. Both of them are basically the same.
Nonetheless, this treatment is not that reliable. Yet, you can apply the method if you want a go-to solution.
However, to obtain this method, first, move your goldfish to a quarantine tank. After moving them to another water tank, add aquarium salt. You can buy aquarium salt in any nearby store.
Mix one tablespoon of salt with one gallon of water. This ratio is suggested by professionals. Nonetheless, if the case is severe, you can add an extra pinch of aquarium soil. But also have to ensure that the salinity ranges between 10 ppt to 35 ppt.
Moreover, make sure that the quarantine tank has the same pH, temperature, and water hardness. Also, do not let the fish take the salt bath for more than 20 minutes. Normally, let the goldfish stay there for around 2 to 20 minutes.
Luckily, goldfish are highly salt tolerant whereas other small fish are not that tolerant. Even most freshwater parasites and bacteria are also not salt tolerant. Some large fish, however, can tolerate salt baths.
Sometimes, you may notice goldfish are not tolerant anymore and they become distressed. As soon as you notice this symptom, remove the goldfish from the quarantine tank. You can also predict your goldfish are not on good terms when you see them rolling over or being distressed severely.
Medication
Commercial medications are also available to cure this infection. Medicine that contains formalin brings the best possible result in this case. Formalin works as the most active element.
Moreover, potassium permanganate and copper sulfate are also two active ingredients that help cure the infection in goldfish.
Nonetheless, if the infection goes to the secondary stage, then you might have to apply antibiotic medications. However, to attain the medication process, you have to isolate the goldfish first. It is essential since other animals in the aquarium might become affected.
Again, some antifungal medications will also help. Since goldfish are sensitive, Malachite green antifungal medicine will be helpful to fight the infection.
Furthermore, for severe cases, you can also consider methylene blue, gentian violet, or other effective antifungal solution (our pick: API PIMAFIX Antifungal Freshwater and Saltwater Fish Remedy)
How to Prevent the White Flim Problem on Goldfish
Check your water conditions and maintain everything in optimal ranges to prevent this problem. You can use the master kit to measure the condition accurately. (our pick: API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT)
pH Range
If your aquarium contains goldfish then it is very important to maintain the pH. The pH condition of the tank water should be neutral. Thus, the pH should be 7. However, goldfish can live spontaneously if the pH ranges from 6 to 8.5.
However, what goldfish do not like is the sudden change in water pH. An abrupt change in the pH can affect healthy slime production and lead them to produce an unhealthy white film.
Temperature
Temperature is also important along with the water pH, to protect your goldfish. The optimum water temperatures for goldfish range between 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower or higher than the range can affect the goldfish adversely.
Nonetheless, surprisingly goldfish can live in cooler temperatures. But once the temperature gets more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit, goldfish cannot tolerate it anymore.
Moreover, higher temperatures create a breeding ground for parasites and fungi. Consequently, you will see the white fungus on the skin of your goldfish. So, make sure that you do not create favorable conditions for them.
No Chemical
The tank water should not contain any chemical where you have kept the goldfish. Many times, aquarium water contains chloramine or chlorine in it. This chemical induces the secretion of white film on goldfish.
To remove chlorine from aquarium water, you can use dechlorinator drops. Again, tap water also contains chlorine in it.
Thus, if you are using tap water, then let the water rest for one day. This way the chlorine will evaporate.
Clean the Waste
Not only goldfish but also any animal in an aquarium will produce waste. But if you let the waste float around the tank water, it will only encourage the production of several diseases. Hence, cleaning the waste on a regular basis is important.
Moreover, the waste produces nitrates and ammonia in water. Both chemicals are very dangerous for goldfish. Therefore, perform water changes frequently to clean the waste and protect the goldfish.
Final Words
Now that you know why there is a white film on your goldfish, you also know what they are and what to do with them. Mucoprotein slime coat can turn into a dangerous substance for goldfish. Hence, maintenance of the slime coat is important.
Also, know that prevention is better than cure. Thus, try to make the aquarium environment safe for petting goldfish properly.
So, if our article was informative enough then let us know through your feedback. Also, we will answer your queries.
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